Endodontic therapy is a specialized dental treatment that involves the diagnosis and treatment of teeth with dental pulp issues. The dental pulp is the collection of nerves and blood vessels that provide nourishment to the tooth. A dentist who specializes in endodontics is called an endodontist.
What Causes Endodontic Problems?
Endodontic problems could occur due to several reasons:
- Chipped, fractured, or broken teeth
- Tooth decay
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Impacted teeth
- Injuries to the mouth, jaw, or face
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- Genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle-cell anemia
- Infection of the root canal (radicular infection)
- Extensive restorations (fillings)
- Trauma to the mouth
- Tobacco use
What Are the Symptoms of Endodontic Problems?
It is not always easy for patients to identify endodontic problems. Most patients first notice swelling, pain, and tenderness in their gums and teeth. Additional symptoms include:
- Soreness and pain when chewing food, drinking hot beverages, or biting down on something.
- Swelling of the gums and cheeks. The infection may also spread to the surrounding tissues.
- Persistent tooth sensitivity or cold sensitivity in one or more teeth. The sensitivity may also move from one tooth to another.
- Foul breath or a bad taste in your mouth. This could be due to bacteria in your mouth.
- Most patients also experience significant sensitivity to temperature changes in their teeth, especially when they chew hot or cold foods. Some patients also complain of sensitivity when they have a cold or flu.
- Some patients experience pain when they bite down on hard food items and may feel a slight popping sensation in their teeth. This could be caused by the inflammation of the dental pulp and is a sign of severe endodontic disease.
- Patients experience a dull ache in their teeth when they apply pressure on their gums with their tongue. This is because the nerves of the teeth are irritated as a result of gum disease and infection.
- In some cases, pus from infected gums will leak out of gingival pockets near the affected teeth due to periodontal disease.
- In extreme cases, patients may experience tooth loss due to periodontal disease if not treated on time.
To know more, call us at (317) 991-4725 and schedule an appointment to visit our dental practice in Indianapolis, IN.
